What is the central idea of the story “Marigolds”?

The central idea of the story "Marigolds" is the loss of innocence and the harsh realities of growing up in poverty. The author uses the marigolds as a metaphor for hope and beauty in the midst of ugliness and despair. Lizabeth's act of destroying the marigolds is a symbol of her frustration and anger at the poverty and hopelessness that surrounds her. As she reflects on her actions, she realizes that she has lost something of herself and that the destruction of the marigolds was a sign of her own loss of innocence.

The story also explores the idea of empathy and the importance of understanding others' struggles. Lizabeth's mother is kind to Miss Lottie, recognizing the difficulty of her life and the significance of the marigolds to her. Through her mother's example, Lizabeth learns to see Miss Lottie as a person with her own story, rather than just an object of ridicule.

Overall, "Marigolds" is a powerful commentary on the challenges of growing up in poverty and the loss of innocence that can come with it. The story urges readers to have empathy for others, to find beauty and hope in unexpected places, and to fight against the forces that seek to rob us of our humanity. As Lizabeth says, "we had lost our innocence and that was how we knew we had crossed over into darkness."